IN OCTOBER 2009 I PURCHASED A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON FOR MY SON. THE CAR WAS PLACED IN THE GARAGE UNTIL MY SON TURNED 16 ON MARCH 8, 2010. WE ONLY HAVE PUT LESS THAN 100 MILES ON THE CAR FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE TO FIND OUT THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING ALSO CAUSING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT TO LOCK IN. THE VEHICLE WAS PURC…
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IN OCTOBER 2009 I PURCHASED A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON FOR MY SON. THE CAR WAS PLACED IN THE GARAGE UNTIL MY SON TURNED 16 ON MARCH 8, 2010. WE ONLY HAVE PUT LESS THAN 100 MILES ON THE CAR FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE TO FIND OUT THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING ALSO CAUSING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT TO LOCK IN. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT CREST HONDA IN NASHVILLE, TN. THEY ALSO PROCEEDED TO SELL ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH WAS SUPPOSE TO COVER FOR BRAKES, HOWEVER WHEN I TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER THEY CONTACTED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER FOR THE BRAKES TO BE REPAIRED AS THEY WERE AFTER MARKET BRAKES ON THE CAR. IT IS CLEARLY OBVIOUS THAT THIS CAR WAS NOT INSPECTED BY CREST HONDA PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. I HAVE READ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT CREST HONDA AND CUSTOMERS HAVING FAULTY BRAKES ON USED CARS THAT THEY PURCHASE FROM THEM. WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT WE NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT CATCHING AND ONLY THE FRONT BRAKES WERE OPERATIONAL ON THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10321603
29,000 miles · Jun 16, 2006
Air BagsPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
-4 TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH FAILURES -DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINE -DEFECTIVE WHEEL HUB -DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING AND KNUCKLE -MANY OTHER DANGEROUS DEFECTS -ALL WERE REPAIRED, MOST WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER MUCH DISPUTE -NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE, BUT ALL REPAIR ORDERS ARE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10160052
33,112 miles · Feb 24, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I WAS DRIVING MY 03 HYUNDAI TIBURON GT TO DINNER WHEN I HEARD THE DRIVER-SIDE REAR BRAKE START MAKING A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND COULD STOP SO I TRIED TO GET OVER BUT BY THE TIME I DID THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND TORE THE TIRE APART. I HAD IT TOWED TO DENNIS HYUNDAI AND THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 03 HYUNDAI TIBURON GT TO DINNER WHEN I HEARD THE DRIVER-SIDE REAR BRAKE START MAKING A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND COULD STOP SO I TRIED TO GET OVER BUT BY THE TIME I DID THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND TORE THE TIRE APART. I HAD IT TOWED TO DENNIS HYUNDAI AND THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE REAR BRAKE LOCKED UP DUE TO RUST FORMING ON THE CALIPER CAUSING IT TO NOT RELEASE. THEY SAID THAT SINCE IT HAD NOT BEEN GREASED PROPERLY THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I RENTED A TRAILER AND PICKED IT UP THE CAR. THE PERSON AT DENNIS SAID THAT IT ONLY NEEDED BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS, THAT THE CALIPER IS FINE. I WENT AND BOUGHT THE PARTS AND REPAIRED THE CAR. IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE CAR WE CHECKED AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF GREASE ON THE CALIPER. SO, THEY LIED ABOUT THE CAUSE OF THE WHEEL LOCKING UP. THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING AND THEY REFUSE TO LOOK AT IT WITHOUT ME PAYING THEM. THEY SAID SINCE I DID THE WORK ON IT INSTEAD OF PAYING THEM $600-$700 TO DO IT THAT THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO TELL WHAT HAPPENED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10112099
2,800 miles · Jan 29, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicTiresCrash
VEHICLE EQUIPT WITH LOW PROFILE SPORTS TIRES. WHILE DRIVING ON SR2 IN JERUSELUM TOWNSHIP OHIO I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN SKIDDING ON BLACK ICE. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND $9000 DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. REAR AXLE FAILED DURING THE IMPACT INTO AN EMBANKMENT WHICH ABSORBED MUCH OF THE…
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VEHICLE EQUIPT WITH LOW PROFILE SPORTS TIRES. WHILE DRIVING ON SR2 IN JERUSELUM TOWNSHIP OHIO I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN SKIDDING ON BLACK ICE. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND $9000 DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. REAR AXLE FAILED DURING THE IMPACT INTO AN EMBANKMENT WHICH ABSORBED MUCH OF THE IMPACT. SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AS DESIGNED BUT FRONT DID NOT. I AM ASSUMING THAT THIS IS DUE TO ME SLIDING BACKWARDS UP THE EMBANKMENT WITHOUT ANY DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT. I WALKED AWAY FROM IT BUT AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT HYUNDAI HAS MARKETED THIS CAR TOWARDS THE YOUNGER "INVINVIBLE" GENERATION WHO DO NOT REALIZE THESE TIRES AREN'T MADE FOR FAST DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT WHY THE ANTILOCK BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CAR IS AT BROWN AUTOMOTIVE AND IS STILL AWAITING REPAIR. I HAVE INFORMED THE INSURANCE COMPANY ABOUT THE BRAKES AND WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THIS REPORT WHEN I GET WORD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10055193
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A LIGHT POLE. *AK
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 160,904 MY 2001-2003 ELANTRA AND MY 2003 TIBURON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT USED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN THESE JURISDICTIONS MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION AND THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM'S UPPER AND LOWER PANELS BECOME PERFORATED. A PERFORATED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY FRACTURE BETWEEN ITS BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT AND THE FORWARD AND REARWARD PIVOT ATTACHMENTS TO THE CHASSIS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FOR CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS INCORPORATING ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND WILL TREAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIALS TO ARREST THE INTERNAL CORROSION PROCESS. THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY" A VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE ROLLS OVER AND THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY RESULT IN REAR BRAKE TUBE WEAR AND CORROSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE REAR BRAKE TUBES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-633-5151.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS MOUNTED BENEATH THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL'S PADDED SURFACE. TEAR LINES ARE FORMED INTO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL'S PADDED SURFACE DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP PAD. THESE TEAR LINES ALLOW A PORTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SURFACE TO FOLD UPWARD IF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER.
Remedy: HYUNDAI WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF AMERICA AT 1-800-633-5151, OR IF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO, HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD BE DAMAGED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE DRIVER SEAT CUSHION HEIGHT ADJUSTER MECHANISM. DAMAGED DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT WARNING LAMP OR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WIRING LAMP TO ILLUMINATE. IT COULD ALSO CAUSE THE AIR BAG FUSE (CAVITY NUMBER 5) TO OPEN, PREVENTING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. DAMAGED DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT WARNING LAMP OR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WIRING LAMP TO ILLUMINATE. IT COULD ALSO CAUSE THE AIR BAG FUSE (CAVITY NUMBER 5) TO OPEN, PREVENTING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: NONDEPLOYMENT OF AN SRS AIR BAG IN A CRASH WHERE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS WARRANTED COULD INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE, IF NECESSARY, AND WILL PLACE A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM OCCURRING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-899-981-0188.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES PASS BEHIND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER. TWO STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE CROSSMEMBER. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), THE REAR BRAKE TUBES COULD CONTACT BOTH STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS. ON VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES MAY CONTACT ONLY THE LEFT MOUNTING BRACKET. CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING BRACKETS COULD CAUSE WEAR AND CORROSION THAT COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES SO THEY DO NOT CONTACT THE MOUNTING BRACKETS, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS TO CONTROL THE LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE TUBES IN THE AREAS WHERE CONTACT WITH THE MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY HAVE OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD BE DAMAGED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE DRIVER SEAT CUSHION HEIGHT ADJUSTER MECHANISM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DAMAGED DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT WARNING LAMP OR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WIRING LAMP TO ILLUMINATE. IT COULD ALSO CAUSE THE AIR BAG FUSE (CAVITY NUMBER 5) TO OPEN, PREVENTING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. NONDEPLOYMENT OF AN SRS AIR BAG IN A CRASH WHERE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS WARRANTED COULD INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE, IF NECESSARY, AND WILL PLACE A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM OCCURRING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET WAS NOT INSTALLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS BRACKET HAS NOT BEEN INSTALLED, THERE MAY BE AN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY OR INCREASED SEVERITY OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF THE BRACKET HAS BEEN INSTALLED. IF THE BRACKET HAS NOT BEEN INSTALLED, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 4, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
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2003 Hyundai Tiburon Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year